April 2003 Newsletter

Retail Newsletter

Relocation sale!

We are shifting premises from Thorndon to Churton Park in the first week of May and to reduce the amount of inventory we have to transport, we are offering up to 60% off several IPL books until 5 May! See page 10.

Recent New Zealand books

Register of New Zealand Railways Steam Locomotives 1863-1971 by W.G. Lloyd $59 (see review, page 13)

Taking Off: Pioneering Small Airlines of New Zealand 1945-1970 by Richard Waugh and others (see page 13)

A History of Civil Aviation in NZ by Maurice McGreal

from the early days to the present; a hardback title from David Bateman Ltd. A4 format. $49

The Riddle of Richard Pearse by Gordon Ogilvie

'A strange and fascinating story which rescues a genius from oblivion' Hawkes Bay Herald Tribune

The Riddle of Richard Pearse is a story as perplexing as anything from the world of fiction. A self-taught backyard mechanic from a remote New Zealand farm, Richard Pearse was not only among the first to leave the ground in a flying machine, but was conducting his early experiments at the same time as the Wright brothers.

Though the Wrights were clearly the first to achieve sustained and controlled powered flight, the question of whether or not Pearse beat them into the air remains an open issue. He was certainly the first citizen of the British Empire to accomplish a powered takeoff in his own aircraft, as early as March 1903.

This fourth edition of Gordon Ogilvie's classic work is published to mark the hundredth anniversary of Pearse's first flight. It includes a never-before published photo of the aviator, and a new preface that traces recent developments in the mystery of Pearse's flight.

The author, one of Canterbury's most widely respected writers of non-fiction, has devoted 40 years of painstaking research into Pearse and his extraordinary talent. Review comments from The Air Enthusiast International sum it up best; 'Mr Ogilvie entertainingly unravels the riddle and firmly places the pioneer in aeronautical history.' 216 x 136mm, Paperback, 280 pages, black and white photographs, maps. $34

The Whole Nine Yards by John King

This is a book about an aeroplane, a 1943 Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk flown for several months under difficult conditions in a remote tropical corner of the southwest Pacific. Abandoned at the side of an airstrip after a landing mishap, it lay forgotten for decades until it was retrieved and shipped to New Zealand. Even then it sat in storage for years before restoration work was started, and three years after that it once again took to the air, a fully rebuilt example of the heroic era of warbirds. The story of that retrieval, and the subsequent rebuild, is a story of individual determination, of personalities and ambitions. It has its roots in the days when aircraft hulks were just that , scrap aluminium cluttering up tropical forests and farmland, when few people had the vision to imagine rebuilding these once-magnificent machines to fly once more. Today the warbirds movements is a properly accepted part of the worldwide general aviation scene, but 40 years ago such visionaries were seen as slightly eccentric. Paperback, 152 x 230 mm, 160 pages $34.95

Classic Racers by Eoin Young

New Zealand has a great tradition in motorsport, epitomised by the hugely successful McLaren F1 racing team. Eoin Young has been there through the best of the glory years, and in Classic Racers he profiles some of the most talented drivers this country has produced. Of course Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme and Chris Amon feature, but so do lesser-known drivers like Howden Ganley, Ron Roycroft, Ross Jensen, Tom Clark, Johnny Mansel, Ernie Sprague, Bill Hamilton and Norman Smith, one-time contender for the world land speed record. And from the days when the likes of Stirling Moss came to compete in New Zealand during the summer, Eoin writes of classic Grands Prix and the cars associated with them, such as the famous Lycoming Special, Tazio Nuvolari's P3 Alfa Romeo and the famous blue Ferrari that scored the first Grand Prix victory for the Scuderia, before ending up in New Zealand. Eoin also describes the terrifying thrill of lapping Goodwood as a petrified passenger while Bruce McLaren drove, and shares his emotional farewell to longtime friend Denny Hulme. With 24 pages of photographs, this is the perfect book for any motorsport enthusiast. 248 pages, softcover. $34

Seduced by the Sea by Tessa Duder

Following the success of Salt Beneath the Skin, Tessa has collected together another volume of high quality maritime writing. The pieces featured are of equal interest to those in the first book, and include stories by Andrew Fagan who writes of learning to capsize in windy Wellington waters and Pippa Blake, who tells of her voyage back to New Zealand with new husband Peter. Also included are extracts by Rob Hamill, on rowing across the Atlantic in the dead of night; Jane Taylor learning the ropes as a WREN; Hec Busby on the waka moana symposium; David Lewis on Polynesian navigation; and Brian Clifford, who learns to sail a junk en route from Hong Kong to NZ. Many other authors are featured in this excellent anthology. 366 pages. $29

Rocking the Boat? A History of Scales Corporation by Gavin McLean

Scales Corporation Limited is a major shipping agent, cool store operator, pet food processor and apple grower. But for most of its history, the core business Geo. H. Scales Ltd was a decidedly quirky venture. It began as a farmers' protest movement and for nearly 80 years it ran chartered wool ships against the Conference Lines. Scales's Articles of Association restricted ownership to sheepfarmers. It once made too high a profit for a director's conscience! In 1941 this tiny farmers' 'shipping line without ships' landed the monopoly rights to the mighty Soviet merchant marine's business. Strange indeed.

Drawing on a variety of sources, leading maritime historian Gavin McLean has unravelled the compelling story of one of New Zealand's most interesting businesses. Rocking the Boat? pulls no punches and will be read with interest far and wide. Hard cover with dust jacket, illustrated throughout with over 250 b/w and full colour images, 340 pages, 248 x 248mm. $59

Beckoning Skies: a pilot's story 1936-1960 by Byran Elliott Young

The story of Flight Lieutenant Bryan Young, who served in both the RNZAF and the RAF during World War II.

Taken from his logbook and his diary, the author recounts his experiences in a style that is compelling and poignant. His travels covered much of the globe, from his flight training experiences in New Zealand and England, to his duties in Italy, Egypt, and India.

His descriptions of his aircraft and the many foibles of the types he flew, which included the Spitfire, the Hurricane, and the Mustang; the comradeship between men in his squadron, the illnesses he faced during his service and the cultures he was exposed to are a mixture of joy and excitement, wonderment and sadness.

Beckoning Skies is a written and visual record of what the author describes as 'the most significant period of my life.' Accompanying his vivid textual descriptions are many personal photographs and drawings. This moving account of hard times, good times and bad times draws the reader into a time many will never experience, a time that was hard won and definitive for future generations of New Zealanders. 390 pages in 170 x 240 mm format, b/w pics. $34

The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History edited by Ian McGibbon

More than 650 substantial essays written by a range of contributors cover all main campaigns and wars since 1800 along with the men and women who made their mark in military affairs. With 653 pages containing the massive text, 150 photos and over 40 maps as well as lists of important officeholders, and a big index, this is a must for anyone interested in NZ's military history. Hardcover with jacket. $99

Italian Odyssey by Mathew Wright

From 1943 to 1945 New Zealand forces fought alongside British and American troops in Italy. It was a very different kind of war from the North African campaign of 194043. The free-wheeling tactics of the desert were replaced by the closer fighting required to master buildings, roads, farms and rivers.

New Zealand's campaign pivoted around Cassino, the central Italian village that offered such stubborn resistance in early 1944. More than five decades on, debate still rages over the decisions made by the New Zealand commander, Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg. Yet the truths can be uncovered, and one of the aims of this book is to take a fresh look at what happened. 235 mm x 214 mm format, black and white photographs throughout + maps. $29

Warbirds over Wanaka 2002 The official book of the airshow

This book is a photographic record of the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow held in 2002. It is the third colour souvenir book of the show published and has become a 'collectable' item among aviation fans and visitors to the show. In 2002 nearly 100,000 people visited the airshow and saw some amazing sights, including the Hawker Hunter, which, now that NZ has decommissioned its Air Force planes, is the fastest jet aircraft in New Zealand first flown in the 1950s and now privately owned (it's supersonic)!

Sir Tim Wallis has an established reputation as a man who fervently wishes to commemorate, celebrate and preserve historical aircraft, including many flown by New Zealanders during World War II. The airshow in Wanaka, held every 2 years, is a popular event that gathers aircraft, spectators, pilots, vendors and enthusiasts from around the world. This book is the official record of the 2002 show with text written by Ian Brodie and photographs by well-known aviation photographers from around the world who have been commissioned for this work. $29

Auckland: A Pictorial History by Richard Wolfe

A big collection of historic b/w and sepia toned photos of Auckland city and suburbs. Large format, softcover, 236 pages. $49. (Note: This is a different and separate book to Auckland before the Harbour Bridge mentioned in the November 2002 newsletter.)

A Tragedy Remembered: The Wahine Disaster by Emmanuel Makarios

An illustrated account of the sinking in Wellington Harbour on 10 April 1968 of the inter-island ferry Wahine with the loss of 51 lives. 64 pages in A4 portrait format, soft cover with flaps. $24 (due September 2003)

Recent overseas books

By Any Means Necessary by William E. Burrows

Unknown to the public and cloaked in the utmost secrecy, the United States flew missions against the Communist bloc almost continally during the cold war in a desperate effort to collect intelligence and find targets for all-out nuclear war. The only hint of the relentless, clandestine operations came when one of the planes was shot down. But now, for the first time, award winning historian William E. Burrows, shows that other were captured by the Russians, Chinese, North Koreans, and were tortured, imprisioned, and killed, while their government looked the other way. In an effort to improve relations with Russia, Washington is still looking the other way, though it pretends otherwise. Burrows has interviewed scores of men who flew these black missions, as well as the widows and children of those who never returned, all of whom want the full story finally told. He has done so with an eye to this story's immensely human dimension. Softcover $27

A fascinating, harrowing and deeply moving account of life in the trenches of the Great War. The Trench recreates in extraordinary detail the experience of day-to-day life for soldiers in the First World War. Volunteers have been recruited from the streets of Hull,exactly as the Hull Pals (the nickname of the 10th battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment)were recruited in 1914. After being trained just as the original recruits were trained and taken to a carefully reconstructed trench in northern France, they are subjected to as many of the privations suffered by their great-grandfathers as can realistically be recreated. It is an extraordinary challenge, physically, mentally and historically. Based on hours of original research and interviews with surviving veterans of the Great War, as well as the regimental diary which describes every hour of every day in painstaking detail, The Trench aims to give an honest and accurate picture of what it actually felt like to be a soldier on the front line in 1916. What was it like to see the trenches for the first time? What did you do to pass the time once you got there? How did you deal with trench routine? And the deaths of your friends? How did you treat injuries? And trench foot? And lice? What did you eat? How did you sleep? How did you stay alive? This first-hand testimony is extraordinarily vivid. Fascinating, awe-inspiring and almost unbearably moving, The Trench brings us face to face with the unimaginable daily tragedies of the First World War and shines very humane new light on an area of history we still struggle to comprehend. Softcover $29

Bridge on the River Kwai

One of the finest war novels ever written, Bridge on the River Kwai tells the story of three POWs who endure the hell of hte Japanese camps on the Burma Siam railway - Colonel Nicholson, a man prepared to sacrifice his life but not his dignity; Major Warden, a modest hero, saboteur and deadly killer; Commander Shears, who escaped from hell but was ordered back. Ordered by the Japanese to build a bridge, the Colonel refuses, as it is against regulations for officers to work with other ranks. The Japanese give way but, to prove a point of British superiority, constructin of the bridge goes ahead - at great cost to the men under Nicholson's command. Softcover $26

Late in the morning of 27 May 1941, the German battleship Bismarck was sunk by an overwhelming British armada in a fierce battle that lasted ninety minutes. Admiral Gunther Lutjens, Captain Ernst Lindermann and 2,206 men of her crew were lost, only 115 survived. Five days earlier, and RAF reconnaissance plane flying low off the coast of Noway spotted four large warships in the sea below. At 19,000 tons fully loaded, the sight of the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen was shocking enough; even more so was the sight of the 50,000 ton battleship Bismarck the pride of the German navy a ship shrouded in myth, an awesome and mysterious behemoth of destruction. Their purpose in these waters was obvious and chilling: the German navy was sending this powerful four-battleship task force to seize control of the North Atlantic sea lanes. The survival of free Britain was at stake. With almost all of Europe under Hitler's thumb, and the United States still frustratingly neutral, Britain was left alone to fight Nazi Germany. The only hope lay in the convoy route across the North Atlantic from the United States. The fate of Britain and the United States hung in the balance, and all knew that the destruction of the Bismarck would be a dramatic turning point in the war. Noted historians Bercuson and Herwig have uncovered much new information on the Bismarck, including a close examination of classified British and United States diplomatic files, only recently opened, revealing secret diplomatic manoeuvrings between Churchill and Roosevelt. They tell the full story of the Bismarck for the first time, from the key strategic decisions of the national leaders, to the gripping hour-by-hour account of the battle. This is the definitive account of one of the most dramatic and momentous events of the Second World War. Hardcover $69

The Great Days of the Country Railway by David St John Thomas and Patrick Whitehouse

This celebration of the country lines in their heyday captures the total experience of railway life - the sights, the sounds, the smells and the very essence of the steam age. Ten authoritative chapters cover particular aspects of country railways, from the stations to the engines, passengers to freight, and are interspersed with a wealth of anecdotes and quotations, cameo studies and illustrations. There are features from around the British Isles and many different periods in history, but with an emphasis on the immediate post-war years that many readers will remember, and which the authors conclude were the railways' greatest days. Paperback, 208 pages $49

For the Love of Steam by David Weston

From the powerful express train hurling its exhaust high into the clouds to the glamour of the showman's road locomotive as it powers a fairground, David Weston's expressive paintings of British railway scenes capture his deep love of the steam engine. The paintings and sketches clearly portray the mechanics of the era, as the careful balance of painterly technique combined with an eye for detail, allows for the expression of light, colour and atmosphere. Contents: And all for the fear of the fiery dragon- a time and a place- every picture tells a story- of painters and paintings- engines in industry- railway territory- steam in town and country- a Midland man looks West. 120 pages, softcover $49

Yesterday's Railways Recollections of an Age of Steam

This work recalls an era when a train journey remained an adventure, and when the steam locomotives that made the journey possible were a source of awe and fascination. It includes a comprehensive history of Britain's railways from the groundbreaking years of the 1900s to the day in August 1968 that the fires were put out for the last time. The British railway system has always been viewed with a mixture of affection, amusement and exasperation. Yet there were periods in the 20th century when the railways were a source of pride and excitement. Many still recall when the train was their principal means of travel, whether to school or work, to visit friends and relatives, or to go on holiday. And it wasn't just people that went by rail; so did the coal that heated homes, the food that filled them and the bricks that built them. They also served the great ports, conveying everything from thousand-ton loads of iron to baskets of racing pigeons. Contents: From monopoly to merger, 1900-1923;- the golden age of rail travel- stations and signals- rural railways- getting away by train- going to work by train- the great locomotives- delivering the goods- railways at war- nationalization and modernization- railways for fun- the day the fires went out. Hardcovered, 288 pages $99

Built by Baldwin: The Story of E. M. Baldwin & Sons, Castle Hill, NSW by Craig Wilson

This is the history of E. M. Baldwin & Sons, the most innovative and successful builder of diesel industrial railway equipment in Australia, best known for their introduction to the Australian sugar industry of the bogie canefield locomotive.

This book is not only the story of the development of Baldwin's canefield locomotives. It also describes the Company's underground, shunting, and fairground locomotives, brake wagons, and the Company's diverse range of engineering work, from stainless steel vessels to broad-acre agricultural tractors.

From the mid 1950s Australia's sugar millers were rapidly replacing their steam locomotives with diesels, with the market split between two large companies - Clyde Engineering Co. Pty Ltd, and Commonwealth Engineering (Queensland) Pty Ltd.

The family firm of E. M. Baldwin & Sons would seem to have been a most unlikely competitor. Still reflecting its farming origins with large scale egg production, its small general engineering business specialised in custom designed stainless steel food preparation equipment.

But in 1962 the firm was approached to build a small canefield locomotive, and a year later it started its pioneering work with flame-proofed rail vehicles. Numerous diesel locomotives followed. The book includes a detailed production list of the Company's locomotives, and scale drawings of many of its locomotives.

The author has had direct access to the Company's owners, and to many of the records of the Company, so this is the definitive history of the Company, and gives much detail on the performance of individual locomotives.

Hard cover, 160 pages, A4 size, 148 photographs, and 16 diagrams, references, bibliography, and index. $59

The Aramac Tramway by Peter Bell & John Kerr

One hundred years ago every town in Australia wanted a railway. When the only alternative was horse drawn transport over roads which were often almost impassable, the railway provided a life line.

Aramac, almost in the centre of Queensland, was no exception. Aramac township was established in 1869, with the opening of a hotel. Many other business soon followed, and by 1879 one visitor described it as "one of the prettiest and best kept towns in Queensland". Its prime reason for existence was to serve the vast sheep stations then being established in this area.

With the opening of the first railways to this area in the 1880s, Aramac fought to be connected, but lost. Aramac, with a population of perhaps 400, was unique amongst inland Queensland towns in taking on the task of building its own line.

This is the story of the Aramc Tramway, 41 miles of lightly built 3 ft 6 in gauge track, with little traffic. It opened in 1913, and for the next 62 years it provided a major challenge for the Shire Council to keep it going. Miraculously it survived until 1975. By that time all of its traffic could be easily handled by road.

Soft cover, 48 pages, A4 size, 49 photographs, 5 maps and plans, references, bibliography, and index. $20

Mountains of Ash: A History of the Sawmills & Tramways of Warburton and District by Mike McCarthy

Sixty-six kilometres east of Melbourne, and nestled deep in a valley below towering timbered slopes, for over a century Warburton has been a popular weekend destination for those attracted by its natural beauty and tranquility. During the period prior to the First World War it was the centre of Victoria's biggest sawmilling district. It saw the establishment of 66 major sawmills and many smaller mills in the bush surrounding the town. They were linked to the railway at Warburton, Millgrove, and Wesburn through a complex system of wooden and steel-railed tramways. In total over 320 km of tramways could be found in the bush surrounding Warburton. Horses, locomotives, and rail tractors hauled the timber, and the tramways included many spectacular bridges, cable-worked haulages, sharp curves and steep grades. The tramways provided picturesque walking tracks for holiday makers, and attracted many first class photographers.

This book includes 320 photographs, 52 are printed as duo-tones, a special process which increases the tonal range of the photograph. Fourteen of the maps are printed in full colour, while most maps and diagrams are printed in two or three colours. Hardcover, 312 pages, A4 size, 280 photographs, 50 maps, various diagrams, references, bibliography, and index. $75

Laheys' Canungra Tramway by Robert K. Morgan, revised by Frank Stamford

This booklet describes Queensland's largest timber tramway. It was originally published as a special edition of Light Railways, (No.54, Summer 1975-76).

The new publication is completely revised, with additional material, more photographs and maps, and a larger page size to give better presentation.

Laheys Canungra Tramway was a 3 ft 6 in gauge timber tramway in south-east Queensland which operated from about 1903 to the early 1930s. It used one B class Climax locomotive, and two A class and one B class Shay locomotives. The tramway ran through superb scenery, and included one tunnel through rock, and a 1 in 12-1/2 (8%) grade for over half a mile.To add more interest, it had a very basic T Ford railcar, an even more basic Commer railcar, and a home-made passenger car. Soft cover, 32 pages plus 4 page card cover, A4 size, 26 photographs, 3 maps and 2 diagrams, references, and index. $20.

The Innisfail Tramway: The History and Development of the Geraldton Shire Tramway and the Mourilyan Harbour Tramway By John Armstrong & G. H. Verhoeven

Innisfail is 80 km south of Cairns, and the largest community between there and Townsville. It is an extremely scenic area situated in the lush coastal belt of tropical North Queensland in one of the wettest parts of Australia. The 2 ft gauge Innisfail Tramway played a major role in the colourful history of the town.

Built one hundred years ago by the Geraldton Shire Council, it was subsequently taken over and operated by the Queensland Railways until they sold it to local sugar mills in 1977. The tramway carried thousands of passengers including shoppers to and from town, wharf labourers to work, racegoers to and from the course, and picnickers on pleasure trips. It carried vast quantities of bananas, timber, coal, agriculture, meat and parcels.

There were 13 steam locomotives, 13 passenger cars, four vans, and about 250 goods vehicles. Over the years the role of the tramway changed, and today the surviving parts of it are operated exclusively as privately owned sugar carrying lines. The authors have interviewed local residents and former members of the tramway staff as well as searched through official documents and newspaper reports, to produce a book which is both historically accurate, and brings to life a vanished era.

Hard cover: 128 pages, A4 size, 99 photographs (12 in colour), 8 maps and 14 rolling stock diagrams, with dust jacket. $49; Soft cover: 128 pages, A4 size, 99 photographs, 8 maps and 14 rolling stock diagrams. $39

Modernising Underground Coal Haulage by Ross Mainwaring : BHP Newcastle Collieries' Electric Railways

This book describes Broken Hill Proprietary Company Ltd's (BHP) Burwood, Lambton, and John Darling collieries in the Newcastle area of New South Wales. It records the introduction of mechanical coal cutters, coal loading machines, and the use of battery and trolley-wire electric locomotives, mostly on 3 ft 6 in gauge track. It also describes the operating procedures and difficulties involved with working trains in confined conditions on steep grades. On a lighter note, it describes the activities of playful train crews, and the unexpected hazards associated with underground tea trolleys!

In the early 1920s BHP's management decided that modernisation of the notoriously conservative coal industry was essential. Newcastle steelworks had been temporarily closed due to the Company's inability to meet competition from imports. The high cost of coal was one reason for this. Until this time, underground coal mines used manual coal extraction, and transport by small coal skips hauled by horses and endless rope. BHP made the decision to own their own coal mines, and make the operations as efficient as possible.

Soft cover, 60 pages, A4 size, 18 photographs, 13 maps and diagrams. $24

Settlers and Sawmillers, by Mike McCarthy : A History of West Gippsland Tramways and the Industries they Served 1875-1934

With the opening of the Gippsland railway to Sale, Victoria, in 1879 the dense forest in West Gippsland provided a valuable resource, which sawmillers were quick to exploit. There was an intense burst of timber production as farmers, seeking to clear their land, worked in partnership with sawmillers, to take advantage of a burgeoning demand for timber in Melbourne. In time the process saw the clearing of West Gippsland to the state that we now know it, and the growth of dairy farms across what had previously been densely forested hills. Between 1875 and 1900 at least 130 sawmill sites were worked in this area, between Beaconsfield and Trafalgar. They were connected to the main towns and railway by tramways using mostly wooden rails. This network of trams, and their associated industries, provides the underlying framework of this book, which explores the relationship between the settlers and the sawmillers, which was so important in establishing agriculture in Gippsland.

Soft cover, 168 pages, A4 size, 96 photographs - mostly nineteenth century gems, 17 maps and diagrams - including seven in two colours, 6 graphs, one locomotive diagram, and 37 cameo images from the turn of the century. $39 A limited number of hard cover copies are available for: $49

Arsenic and Molasses :A Pictorial History of the Powelltown Tramway and Timber Milling Operations by Frank Stamford

When the railway from Lilydale to Warburton was opened in 1901 it led to the rapid development of the timber industry in that area. Until 1912 this was in the hands of small operators. In that year a large company with major shareholders in Western Australia and New Zealand was formed to exploit the newly developed "Powell" process of timber preservation. The process involved the heating of timber in a solution containing molasses, water, and other ingredients, including arsenic to control white ants. To use the process economically involved the building of a large sawmill and a company town. The Company chose a site 10 miles from Yarra Junction, and named it "Powelltown". To provide transport the Company built narrow-gauge steam operated tramways through the bush. The Powell process proved a failure, but the timber milling operations centred on Powelltown remained. This book provides an illustrated history of those operations, and an insight into a way of life long since gone. Hard cover, 88 pages, A4 size, 103 photographs, 7 maps and diagrams, with dust jacket and end papers. The end papers consist of two different A3 size photographs depicting Coffee Pot at work in the bush eighty years ago. Soft cover, 88 pages, A4 size, 103 photographs, 7 maps and diagrams. $49

Bellbrakes, Bullocks & Bushmen: A Sawmilling and Tramway History of Gembrook by Mike McCarthy

Following the opening of the 2 ft 6 in gauge railway to Gembrook (64 km east of Melbourne) in 1900, timber milling became an important industry in the forest to the east of Gembrook. At least sixty sawmill sites were worked in the region, and for some time sawmilling was the largest single employer in the area. Together they produced a huge volume of timber, not only to satisfy the needs of metropolitan Melbourne, but also to provide fruit cases for the district's orchard industry.

A fascinating network of tramways, providing the vital transport link to the railhead, fanned to the east and north of the town. The construction and operation of these lines is covered in detail but it is integrated with the history of the mills that led to their existence, and the people that worked in the industry or lived in the bush at the mills. Soft cover, 104 pages, A4 size, 71 photographs, 17 maps and diagrams. $35

Powelltown, A History of its Timber Mills and Tramways by Frank Stamford, Ted Stuckey and Geoff Maynard

Now in its third reprint, Powelltown records in words and pictures the fascinating history of life and technology in the timber milling industry around Powelltown, 50 miles east of Melbourne, where the Victorian Hardwood Company had one of the largest sawmills in Victoria. The Victorian Hardwood Company provided a public passenger and freight service on its 3 ft gauge tramway between Yarra Junction and Powelltown. This service, which substantially improved living conditions for the pioneer settlers in the valley, is fully described in the book. Six steam locomotives were used, including Victoria's only Shay geared locomotives.

Also described and illustrated are the small settlements which once existed in the bush east of Powelltown. An intricate network of tramways was built in this area. Of special interest is the description of the steam powered High Lead logging systems, which required special skills to operate, and iron nerves to install.

Soft cover, 150 pages, A4 size, 150 photographs, 22 maps and diagrams. $29

Timber Mountain, A sawmilling history of the Murrindindi Forest from 1885 to 1950.

This book describes the timber tramways and mills in the area bounded by Healesville, Toolangi, Yea, Buxton, and Narbethong of Victoria. This area was once served by an extensive system of long tramways which fed into Healesville and Cheviot railway stations, with many other isolated tramways. An appendix by John Corden, describes what it was like to live at Dindi mill. $24

Rocky Bluff to Denmark

This book consists of four major articles from early issues of Light Railways, from Rocky Bluff - in north Queensland, to Denmark - in the south of Western Australia. :Stannary Hills and Rocky Bluff, by Gerry Verhoeven Two 2 ft gauge passenger and freight mining tramways which ran through spectacular scenery in far north Queensland. Superb photographs of a fascinating collection of steam locomotives.

Hume Reservoir Construction Railways, by Peter Charrett.

The Hume Reservoir had a series of 2 ft, 3 ft and 3 ft 6 in gauge lines, with 18 steam locomotives. This article describes how the railways were used in the project, with many excellent photographs.

Elphinstone Timber Tramway, by Roger Seccombe A 3 ft 6 in gauge steam operated timber tramway which operated at Elphinstone (Victoria) in the 1920s. Softcover, 66 pages $15.

Millar's Denmark Railway by the late Bill Jessup

A 3 ft 6 in gauge passenger-carrying land-grant railway built primarily for timber transport in southern Western Australia, which was operated by six Baldwin locomotives, including Australia's first 4-6-2 tender locomotive.

Soft cover. 66 pages 165 x 230 mm, 26 photographs, 7 maps and diagrams. $15

The Midland Railway Company of Western Australia - Locomotives by Adrian Gunzburg

A definitive and detailed history of the Midland Railway Company ofWestern Australia's fascinating stable of locomotives. It includes a condensed history of the Company from 1886 to 1964.

Soft cover. 56 pages, A4 size, over 70 photographs. $27

Beaudesert Shire Tramway by Ray Ellis & Keith McDonald

A history of a 27 mile, 3 ft 6 in gauge tramway, which was owned and operated by the Beaudesert Shire Council, in south-east Queensland. The tramway was opened in 1903, and closed in 1944. It served the farming towns of Josephville, Loravale, Tabooba, Innisplain, and Rathdowney, with a branch serving Christmas Creek, Hillview, and Lamington. The tramway was operated by four steam locomotives, one of which was a converted Foden steam lorry, and several railcars.

Soft cover: 68 pages 140 mm x 216 mm, 40 photographs, plus maps and diagrams. $15; Hard cover. 68 pages 140 mm x 216 mm, 40 photographs, plus maps and diagrams. $19

World Encyclopedia of Trucks

A fully illustrated guide to trucks and their manufacturers. Every major manufacturer is listed in an A-Z guide of over 280 makes, accompanied by photographs and text about their key features and role in society. The book includes a history of the truck, covering its origins and evolution from the early pioneers of truck design onwards. A wide variety of trucks are featured, from general load carriers to specialized trucks such as fire trucks and mobile cranes. The text also includes a glossary of truck terminology, to help distinguish between the different types of trucks and their attributes. Hardcover, 256 pages, $49

Zeppelin Rigid Airships 1893-1940. This volume covers rigid airships from their beginnings in 19th-century Germany until World War II and examines their role in both civil and military aviation. It gives the development histories of 163 different airships constructed during that period in Germany, Britain, France and the USA Hardcover. $145

Vickers Aircraft Since 1908 608 pages, hardcover, $145 (available June)

Bristol Aircraft Since 1910 416 pages, hardcover, $125 (available June)

De Havilland Aircraft Since 1909 552 pages, hardcover $145 (available June)

Aircraft of the Spanish Civil War 1936-39

This book covers a very interesting period of military aviation leading up to World War 2, the begining of the phaseout of the biplane and the emergence of the monoplane in all roles in combat. The author outlines the causes and nature of the Spanish Civil War, the different participants and the often very strange paths taken (for obvious reasons mostly by the republican side) in order to obtain the motley and bewildering collection of aircrafts, that flew under the Spanish sky.

There is a section devoted to the markings and camouflage of the airplanes, most helpful if for modellers. The aircraft themselves are ordered alphabetically by manufacturer and there is a very comprehensive history of the type (often also of the individual aircraft), its usage and much more. If you are a serious modeller with a keen interest in this subject or are interested in this period of history this is the reference book. 310 pages, hardcover. $165.

Waffen-SS Uniforms and Insignia

This 128-page hardcover colour pictorial reference book shows a wide range of the uniforms and personal equipment of the Waffen-SS during World War II. Coverage includes peaked and soft caps, helmets and camouflage helmet covers, tunics and camoufalge jackets, insignia and miscellania such as belt buckles, shoulder straps, documentation, and much more. Amongst the rare items of equipment are named articles from SS generals and colonels. The authors have travelled widely in Scandinavia and Russia photographing previously unseen collections. The photographs are accompanied by an explanatory text making this a useful refernce for military historians, modellers and collectors $85

Time Storms: Amazing Evidence for Time Warps, Space Rifts, and Time Travel by Jenny Randles

Jenny Randles is well known as one of the more sensible writers on UFOs, someone who prefers to look for "real-world" explanationsphysiological, psychological, sociological, culturalrather than immediately leaping for the "alien option". At first sight Time Storms might appear to be heading in the opposite direction, dealing as it does with time travelsurely the subject of science fiction. But Randles has some interesting and revealing things to say.

A lot of cases claimed by "UFOlogists" involve strange mists, reports of missing timeusually just a couple of hoursor people or things inexplicably being shifted in space. In the first half of her book Randles gives a large number of examples of these, and of similarly unusual accounts. Many of them are accompanied by what has become known as "the Oz Factor", "an eerie stillness and silence; the flow of time stopping inexplicably and leaving a numbing timelessness". All of these she sees as linked effects suggesting a disturbance of the space-time continuum, rather than anything to do with UFOs.

After the empiricalor at least, anecdotalevidence, the second half of the book is as clear and straightforward an explanation as one might wish for of such complex issues as relativity theory, quantum physics and Schrödinger's cat. In proposing that what she calls "time storms" might eventually be scientifically explicable, Randles inevitably raises more questions than answers, but in this fascinating book she is pointing the way towards some intriguing future research. 261 pages, softcovered. $39 (available June)

The Complete Book of UFOs by Jenny Randles and Peter Hough

Reveals the most recent research into unexplained phenomena. It explores the events that have led to more awareness of extra-terrestrial activity, such as the arrival of the airships in the 1880s, and the abductions and sightings of the 1980s and 1990s. 388 pages, softcovered $27 (available June)

Fyrar och fyrliv pa Gotland / Lighthouses and Lighthouse Life on Gotland

An all-colour coffee table book presenting the history of and stories from the lighthouses on the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. Includes English translation. 120 pages in 230 x 210 mm format, hardcover, $39.

Fyrar / Lighthouses

Colour artworks of lighthouses in southern Sweden plus maps and descriptions. 167 pages in 235 x 255 mm format, hardcover with jacket. $49 (very limited stocks)

A collection of original colour advertisements for American cars of the 1950s relive the colourful rock 'n' rock era with big cars sporting fins and plenty of chrome! 192 pages, flexicover. $24

20th Century Cars

From 112 alphabetically listed marques from around the world are presented 387 classic cars being the most significant cars in motoring history. Technical specifications for every car featured, 386 full colour and b/w photos, 400 pages, 180 x 125 mm format, softcover with flaps. $39

Formula One Grand Prix 2003 the official ITV Sport Guide. Information on the top drivers, leadining teams and significant technological advances. Every one of the 128 pages is a celebration of the world's high octane sport. 120 colour photos and 50 colour artworks. 280 x 126 mm, softcover. $34

Farm Tractors by Michael Williams

Features models from the world's leading manufacturers. A4 portrait format, 176 full colour pages, hardcover. $39

Harley Davidson Designs and Development from 1903 to the present. 256 pages, A4 portait, hardcover $49

Relocation sale!

These special prices apply to orders received by 5 May.

ANZAC Elite: Airborne and Special Forces (hardcover reference work, mostly colour) 69.95 $40

New Zealand Railway Memories (120 A4 pages, heaps of b/w pics , hardcover) 45.00 $30

Nga Waka Maori: Maori Canoes (168 illustrated pages) 39.95 $25

South Island Main Trunk (history of the line from Picton to Bluff, many great pics) 39.95 $25

Celluloid Dreams: A century of film in New Zealand (NZ's film and cinema history ) 39.95 $25

NZ Art for Investment (large guidebook, 160 pages, includes 16 pages colour) 29.95 $20

Danger Ahead: NZ railway accidents in the modern era (168 illustrated pages) 29.95 $20

Rutherford's Dreams: A NZ Science Fiction collection (224 pages) 24.95 $10

Will to Kill: The Barlow trial and others (16 famous NZ murder cases 1920s-1990s) 24.95 $10

Lust to Kill: Notorious New Zealand Murders (8 semi-fictionalised famous cases) 19.95 $10

Antipodean Tales: Stories from the Dark Side (23 gothic/supernatural tales) 19.95 $10

Books From Other Publishers

Walk Europe (all colour 224 -page guidebook) 39.95 $20

National Parks of Europe (all colour 224-page guidebook) 39.95 $20

John Gully, Painter (a biography, 8 pages in colour) 24.95 $10

Life is a River (novel set in Seatoun, Wellington) 19.95 $10

Romancing the Frogs: A guide to love and happiness (entertaining and useful advice) 24.95 $10

Farewell Santa Fe Steam, Santa Fe Chief, Pacific Electric (55 minutes) 29.95 $15

French Expresses Yesterday and Today (45 minutes) 29.95 $15

Classic Trains Volume II: Asia/Africa

The Train deLuxe (Zimbabwe), The Palace on Wheels (India), The Eastern and Oriental Express (Bangkok-Singapore) , Rovos Rail (South Africa). A total of 4 hours all for just $29.95

Classic Trains Volume III: America/Australia

The Rocky Mountaineer, The Great South Pacific Express, The American Orient Express, The South Orient Express 4 hours playing time for just $29.95

Green Streamlined Pacific-type loco in beautiful country with the steam, spectacular in the cold air of the NSW highlands, as the train works hard on steep grades, or racing by on full speed. Views Lithgow to Narromine. See spectacular crossing with XPT. 60 min $49

From old film - quaint NSW branch line with steep grades and up to 3 locos to pull and push! Unusual level crossing signals. 60 min $49

Coal Steel And Gravel Railways of NSW From rare historic film of NSW industrial, coal, steelworks and main line 1950 - 1968. Includes Catherine Hill Bay, South Bulli, Corrimal, South Maitland, Richmond Vale, Emu Gravel and more long gone railways. 54 minutes $49

CPH to XPT Every type of NSW railmotor from the first (a model of 1919 one) through all the real ones up to and including the XPT. 60 min $49

Destiny of Steam Superb coverage of South Maitland Railways Pty Ltd who retained steam long after diesels took over elsewhere, with fascinating interviews with former employees, together with a segment on the same areas today, using diesel locos. Pelton detail. 60 min $49

Driver's View to Kandos View from the driver's cab of the remaining section of the Mudgee Line, plus lineside views. 60 min $49

Kogarah Steam Trams 1936 Black & white film of steam trams and the line on which they ran, with views of the same places today. 60 min $49

Newington Navy Armaments Depot. The Rlys of. A driver's view, with some lineside shots, along the 2ft gauge electric railway around and through the fascinating historic buildings dating back to 1897. 100 minutes $49

Richmond Line A comprehensive look at this delightful line, from the days of steam passenger and goods through wooden rail motors, 2 car diesels to electrics. Lovely wood trestles, special events. 60 mins $49

Railway Panorama No. 1 1989. Electric trains and locos beside the water, diesels, stations, spectacular Thermite rail welding, 3801, Flying Scotsman, Canberra Express, XPT, wheat trains and general freighters, detailed look at Cootamundra West and more. 58 minutes $49

Railway Panorama No. 2 1989 suburban trains, with nonstop activity of the now-gone "red rattlers" and a detailed operating sequence of several signal types. Last of the stainless 1 deckers, harbour bridge. Triple headed steam tour, diesel freight, 3801, electric locos. 60 minutes $49

Railway Panorama No. 3 1989. Steam tours, 3642, 3801, Flying Scotsman, Cowra feature:- Caravan City, steam, diesel, big trike and quad rally, preserved pay bus FP13 lineside and on board. Former Aust Iron & Steel diesel D9 including in the cab, wheat trains and more

Railway Panorama No. 4 Featuring every class of Alco loco that has worked on the railways of NSW. See 7 locos on one train at Ardglen in full blast in a spectacular show of might. Includes a pair of 40 class on the Newcastle Flyer, 44s on Spirit of Progress. 60 min $49

Railway Panorama No. 51990. Flying Scotsman, 3801, 5910, 3001, 3112 steam, 86. 81, and 80's Richmond Line 125 years celebrations, with CPH RM running the regular service. Pt Kembla steelworks new red & white color scheme and to conclude, snow on the Blue Mountains. 60 min $49

Railway Panorama No. 6 1998. Indian Pacific in Blue Mountains. Brief look Sydney suburban, Junee station feature, Picton area in some detail, with the magic sound of 422 class GM power in full battle cry. Flash back to the Toronto Line in steam days and in 1970.

Railway Panorama No. 7 1999. IC daylight between Carramar and Bethungra, 81 class GM & Vline diesels. Ulan Line, 42 & 72 wagons hauled by double and triple 81 class, XPT and 81s at Ardglen. Steam 4-6-0 3642, and 2-8-2 5910 on Rail Transport Museum tour up the Blue Mtns. 60 min. $49

Railway Panorama No. 8 2000. HiRail vehicles, Bethungra area including spiral with mostly GMs. Mulgrave signalling, electric locos at work, North line Alcos & GMs, Werris Creek feature, Armidale. Steam with 5910 on the former Commissioner's train. 60 min $49

Steam Extravaganzas The museum at Enfield. The big move to Thirlmere. Spectacular steam including single, double head and triple parallel, variety of locos on tours. 60 min $49

Steam Returns to the Hunter Valley 1989. Mining Museum trains, forge, workshops and old colliery. 56 minutes. $49

Steam on 16mm in the Sixties Beautiful 16mm film of the era of double headed Garratts, steam expresses and wooden carriages. 64 minutes $49

Steam Trams Around 1937. On main rail lines, ballast motors, special feature on Parramatta steam tram 1937 and 1993. 60 min $49

Thirlmere 76 A day's filming on 16mm silent, at and near Thirlmere NSW Train Museum, of locos 3214, 5461 and 3801. 45 min $35

Australia's Oldest Operating Steam Locomotive

Seven steam locomotives working in North Queensland in 1991 including one built in 1865, pacing in parallel train and lineside including the Karunda line. Railmotor trip to now closed Ravenshoe. 60 min $49

Steam Rails and Sugarcane

Mostly from 16mm film. Main, branch and sugar cane trains, plus rail motors, 1957-1968. 45 min $45

1992. Lineside views of a tour with 4-6-0 and 2-8-2 locos Sydney to Melbourne, with parallel runs in Victoria 60minutes. $49.00

Railways of Tasmania

Dubs 8 on North West coast, Tasrail with up to 5 locos on one train, Steam H and diesel X on Derwent Valley before closure, the ABT Mt Lyell rack railway from old film with a look at the scene in 1998 before restoration.60 min $49.00

History of Warfare series ($19 each title): Edgehill (English Civil War); FrancoPrussian War; FrenchIndian War; Gallic Wars (Julius Ceasar and his Roman Legions); The Great War (World War I).

Scorched Earth-Army Group Central The gripping saga of the central sector of the WWII eastern front. $19

Viper The Story of America's Fastest Car. $15

Great Planes Series ($19 each title): Boeing B17 Flying Fortress; Consolidated B-24 Liberator; F-111 Aardvark; F-14 Tomcat; Lockheed C-130 Hercules; Boeing B-52 Stratofortress; McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet; P-51 Mustang; Nighthawks (The F-117 Stealth Fighter); General Dynamics F-16 Falcon.

Journeys to the Ends of the Earth

A made-for-TV travelogue series by photojournalist David Adams to visually spectacular but forbidding destinations. Vol. 1. Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Kamchatka; Vol 2. Peru, Bolivia, Cambordia, Georgia; Vol. 3. Niger, Lybia, Kenya, Sudan Ethiopia. Approx 4 hours each, $29 each.

(A selection only; a full list is available on request)

Hitler's SS: Portrait in Evil